Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The successful implementation of the "salt and iron for horses" strategy acted as a powerful catalyst, causing Hanyuan's border trade to experience an unprecedented explosive growth.

Baishui Market, Beiguan Mutual Market, and even some spontaneously formed border markets were bustling with merchants and travelers every day, with goods piled up like mountains and gold and silver flowing like a tide.

However, behind the prosperity, problems have also emerged.

The trade was chaotic, the units of measurement were inconsistent, unscrupulous merchants hoarded goods and sold inferior products as superior ones, and there were even instances of counterfeiting "salt permits" and smuggling contraband.

Even worse, some unscrupulous merchants collude with border bandits to rob caravans and engage in forced buying and selling.

This not only harms the interests of merchants and travelers and disrupts market order, but also seriously erodes Hanyuan's tax revenue and even threatens border security.

Xiao Chen knew that without rules, nothing could be accomplished, and without order, nothing could last.

The rampant growth of trade must be brought into a regulated, efficient, and controllable framework.

Therefore, shortly after the signing of the "Salt and Iron for Horses" contract, he promulgated the "New Regulations of Hanyuan Border Market," which carried out a comprehensive and in-depth rectification and reform of border trade.

1. Establish the "Maritime Trade Office" to manage border markets.

The functions of managing markets, commercial taxes, and inspections, which were originally scattered among various government departments, were unified under the newly established "Maritime Trade Office".

The Maritime Trade Office had several subordinate departments, including the Trade Office, the Tax Office, the Anti-Smuggling Office, and the Market Office.

Each border city established a "Maritime Trade Sub-office," which was under the direct leadership of the Maritime Trade Office to ensure smooth implementation of government orders and unified management.

Second, implement the "market voucher" system to regulate business operations.

It was stipulated that all merchants engaged in large-scale trade within Hanyuan territory and border markets must apply for "market certificates" from the Maritime Trade Office.

The market coupons were divided into different categories such as "salt coupons, iron coupons, tea coupons, horse coupons, and general merchandise coupons," and specified information such as the business name, business scope, type of goods, quantity, and validity period.

Those without market warrants are prohibited from engaging in block trades.

Market bonds are transferable and can be pledged, but they must be registered with the Maritime Trade Office.

This move aims to understand the background of merchants, regulate business entities, and facilitate management and taxation.

Third, standardize weights and measures, and establish "fair scales" and "standard rulers".

The Maritime Trade Office issued the "Hanyuan Weights and Measures Ordinance," which forcibly implemented the unified "Hanyuan Official Ruler," "Hanyuan Official Measure," and "Hanyuan Official Scale."

"Fair scales" and "standard rulers" kiosks have been set up in various markets for merchants and residents to check their scales free of charge.

Anyone found using counterfeit or tampered measuring instruments will have their goods confiscated, be severely punished, and may even have their market certificates revoked.

This move greatly reduced transaction disputes, improved transaction efficiency, and established the prestige of the Hanyuan government.

IV. Crack down on smuggling and fraud.

The Anti-Smuggling Bureau established a professional "anti-smuggling team" equipped with fast horses, powerful crossbows, and warships, and set up checkpoints at key border routes and waterway crossings for inspection.

The focus will be on cracking down on the smuggling of illegal salt, iron, weapons, and prohibited medicinal materials.

Merchants who engage in market manipulation, forced buying and selling, selling inferior goods as superior ones, or price gouging will be severely punished once verified. The punishments range from fines, confiscation of goods, and revocation of market certificates to exile or even execution.

At the same time, businesses and citizens are encouraged to report violations, and rewards will be given for verified reports.

Fifth, construct large-scale "trading markets" for centralized transactions.

Based on the existing Baishui Market and Beiguan Border Market, several large and well-equipped "border markets" were built at key transportation hubs.

Within the trading post, specialized areas were divided into salt and iron sections, cloth sections, medicinal herb sections, horse markets, and general merchandise sections. These areas provided standardized services including warehouses, inns, restaurants, and even money exchange.

Merchants traded within the market and enjoyed benefits such as tax breaks, security protection, and dispute mediation.

This move will guide fragmented, underground transactions to an officially controlled, centralized, and transparent platform, significantly improving trade security and efficiency.

VI. Establish a "merchant credit rating" system. The Maritime Trade Office will rate merchants holding market warrants based on their compliance with laws and regulations, tax records, transaction volume, and business reputation, classifying them into three levels: "superior," "medium," and "inferior."

Top-tier merchants can have priority in purchasing scarce goods, enjoy tax breaks, and even receive government loans.

Lower-class merchants were subject to strict supervision and even restrictions on their business operations. This was intended to incentivize merchants to operate with integrity and pay taxes in accordance with the law.

The promulgation of the "New Regulations for Border Markets" swept through the border trade circle of Hanyuan like a storm.

Initially, some businessmen who were used to a free and undisciplined lifestyle and even made profits through smuggling and fraud strongly opposed this and even secretly colluded to try to strike in protest.

However, Xiao Chen was prepared for this.

On the one hand, he strictly ordered the Maritime Trade Office and the Anti-Smuggling Team to act swiftly and decisively, arresting several unscrupulous merchants who had led the disturbance and whose evidence was conclusive. They were publicly tried and severely punished. He even confiscated the property and executed a wealthy merchant who smuggled military equipment, hanging his head in the market as a warning to others.

On the other hand, he also announced a three-month "tax-free transition period" for merchants who voluntarily register and operate in compliance with regulations, and that they would be given priority access to high-quality stalls in the market and official transaction guarantees.

A big stick in one hand and a carrot in the other, working together, yields immediate results.

Most law-abiding businesspeople, especially small and medium-sized businesses that crave a stable and secure trading environment, warmly welcomed the new regulations.

They flocked to the Maritime Trade Office to register, apply for market vouchers, and eagerly moved into the newly built market.

Soon, the Baishui and Beiguan border markets presented an unprecedented scene of prosperity: shops lined the streets, goods were displayed in abundance, the trading was orderly, and although the sounds of bargaining were noisy, they were full of vitality.

Merchants no longer need to worry about their goods being stolen or cheated; they can simply focus on doing business and paying reasonable taxes.

The tax revenue of the Maritime Trade Office doubled in the first month after the new regulations were implemented.

Trade disputes and public security cases, on the other hand, have decreased significantly.

Merchants praised the place, saying, "Doing business in Hanyuan has strict rules, but it gives us peace of mind. We don't have to worry about being cheated or robbed; we can earn money with peace of mind!"

The more profound impact is that, through this new set of regulations, Han Yuan has firmly grasped the dominant power and economic lifeline of border trade.

Who can do business in Hanyuan, what kind of business they can do, how big their business is, and even how much money they can make, are all largely subject to the regulation and management of the Hanyuan government.

This not only brought in substantial fiscal revenue, but also provided the Cold Abyss with a powerful economic weapon that could be used to reward allies, sanction enemies, regulate the market, and stabilize prices.

Standing atop the newly built "Baishui Border Market" watchtower, Xiao Chen looked down at the bustling crowds and goods below, listening to the officials from the Maritime Trade Office report on the steadily increasing tax revenue and the increasingly standardized market order, and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

This is not just a market; it is a fortress of wealth built with rules and order, a crucial cornerstone for Hanyuan's rise to power.

"Your Highness, the new regulations have shown initial results, but some deep-seated problems remain."

The head of the Maritime Trade Office reported that "a small number of desperate individuals still take advantage of the complex terrain of the border to carry out small-scale smuggling. In particular, they smuggle certain contraband, such as saltpeter and sulfur used in the manufacture of gunpowder, and even...human beings."

Xiao Chen's gaze turned cold: "Order the anti-smuggling team to intensify their crackdown, especially on the smuggling of saltpeter, sulfur, and people. Once discovered, kill without mercy! At the same time, have Night Owl cooperate to thoroughly investigate the forces behind the smuggling. I want to see who dares to mess with me."

The new regulations in the border city not only regulate the market, but also act as a tightening net, leaving no place for those who try to profit in the shadows to hide.